13.4 - 1614 Preston Ave - ARC Update Letter — original pdf

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1614 Preston Avenue | Owner’s Update RE: Architectural Review Committee Discussion September 27, 2026 Austin Lukes and Planning Department Team Historic Preservation Office City of Austin, Texas preservation@austintexas.gov Owner’s Update Re: Architectural Review Committee Discussion of Proposed Interior Renovation and Second-Story Addition at 1614 Preston Avenue, Austin, Texas 78703 (Old West Austin NRHD) Dear Mr. Lukes, Historical Preservation Office, and Members of the Historic Landmark Commission, This letter supplements the Owner’s Letter of Information dated August 5, 2026. Following referral from the September 2, 2026 meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission, we presented our project to the Architectural Review Committee on September 10, 2026. We have summarized the discussion and the Committee’s feedback below. a. Exterior masonry and wall assembly. Following the Commission meeting, we returned to our professional team to request the sealed letter recommended by the Commission and to discuss selective demolition of the wall to further inspect its assembly. We were advised firmly that such an inspection would only confirm the deterioration and moisture issues previously described rather than yield new findings. Given that advice, and to avoid inadvertent start-of-work complications with construction loan financing underway, we have not conducted further demolition of the wall assembly. The sealed letter provided by our Engineer, dated September 17, 2026, has been submitted for the Commission’s review. b. Front porch. We discussed an area of confusion in the plan submission, and confirmed that the existing recessed porch is retained and extended slightly to the right. c. Setback, massing / placement of the addition. We discussed that relocating a significant portion of the second story to the rear-right, outside the utility zone, is not feasible per our Structural Engineer; the existing slab dates to a prior addition and cannot bear the load, and would require added supports within critical root zones. A deeper front setback is achievable, but only with added structural complexity and cost. With consideration to the project’s likely impact on the structure’s contributing status, the Committee did not recommend further measures to alter the massing, setback, or scale. d. Roof form and second-story porch. Following the Commission meeting, we were prepared to restore the original front gable, and to remove the second-story porch area. After discussion and review of renderings, and with consideration to the project’s likely impact on the structure’s contributing status, the Committee indicated a preference for the front elevation as originally proposed (no front gable, full-width second-story porch). To summarize the Committee’s overall assessment: Committee members observed that, given the extent of the proposed work, the structure is unlikely to remain contributing. Members nonetheless expressed that the proposed design fits well within the District and the Preston Avenue streetscape specifically, that its scale is appropriate, and that the proposed new architecture is a strong representation of the character of this portion of the neighborhood. Thank you, Arielle M. L. Yadhati on behalf of Self & Dr. Akshay G. L. Yadhati Owner-Applicant